The lawyer of an Emirati woman convicted of killing her toddler by stamping on his stomach has accused the hospital that treated him and the family's housemaid of potentially causing the boy's death.
Fahad Ahmed Bin Tamim said a skull fracture that the 14-month-old had could have happened at the private hospital and that the maid who testified that the mother had been aggressive with her son before was also suspect.
The 33-year-old mother was jailed for three years in May for stamping on her son's stomach so hard that he died in hospital in July last year. Prosecutors appealed the "lenient" sentence but the mother's lawyer on Sunday made the case for her immediate release considering the time she has already served and the fact that the boy's father has submitted a waiver dropping charges against his wife.
"At about midnight, the hospital calls the child's parents and asks them to urgently take the child home," said Mr Tamim.
"They gave excuses that the insurance doesn't cover the stay, then a couple of days later, the parents discover the head injury. Maybe he fell at the hospital and they discharged him in a hurry to cover it up."
He went on to say that the maid who testified against the mother was a suspect herself and so would have no qualms about accusing the mother.
"She said she saw the mother pressing on the child's stomach but she failed to say that this happened four months before his death and it happened because the child was bloated," said Mr Tamim. "My client acted like any mother would and tried to massage the baby's stomach."
He also told Dubai Court of Appeal that the child suffered from many health problems and was prescribed lots of medication that caused his health to deteriorate.
"My client was caring for her son during all the time he was ill," said Mr Tamim. "The court of first instance based its conviction on evidence that does not stand [up]."
The incident that led to the boy's death happened at the woman's home in Al Qusais on July 16 last year. She took the child to the Al Barsha hospital where he later died. Doctors then alerted police.
An Egyptian doctor working at the hospital said the baby had been treated for a number of problems, such as a brain haemorrhage, diarrhoea, vomiting, then a fractured thigh bone and a fractured skull.
The maid and the mother's sister both testified against her at the criminal court and said she treated the child mercilessly, shoving spoons into his mouth, tying him up and throwing him naked on the bathroom floor to bathe him. The sister said that she discovered her nephew's bruises were being covered with make-up.
A medical report found that the child died because of internal bleeding in the abdomen caused by violent pressure, which damaged his intestines.
However, Mr Tamim said the report was based on conclusions drawn after doctors noticed the number of times the child was admitted to hospitals.
"Two doctors were asked if the amount of medication, including one for epilepsy, the child took would negatively affect his health, and both said no. How could they be decisive? They are not pharmacology scientists to be that certain," he said.
Insisting his client was innocent, the lawyer requested that the case is referred to a committee of competent physicians and pharmacology scientists.
An appeals court verdict will be issued on September 14.
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Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press
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Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
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Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
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Stars:Zaf Efron, Anthony Hayes
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar
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Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
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Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km
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Fitness problems in men's tennis
Andy Murray - hip
Novak Djokovic - elbow
Roger Federer - back
Stan Wawrinka - knee
Kei Nishikori - wrist
Marin Cilic - adductor
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.